This is a Special Forces unit of the British Army. According to Johns (2017), its origin can be traced to a desert in Africa in the Second World War. It was founded in 1941 as a regiment later on; it was reconstituted as a corps in 1950. It gained fame in the year 1980 after its army stormed the embassy of Iran.Since then, the world adopted the motto used by the SAS, “Who Dares Wins.” It takes part in handling terrorists, giving training services to the security units of the country conducting secret raids and renting firearms to other nations. It undertakes covert reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and direct action against terrorists.

Handling terrorists: recently, there have been several cases of terror attacks in several parts of the world. There are a lot of terror groups which have led to mass murder and destruction of property. This has forced governments to ask for help from units which are trained to capture terrorists to stop the attacks and show the terrorists that the country is still in control.

Air control: SAS has trained people who are responsible for all activities that involve aircrafts, especially attacks. They are given proper training to avoid hurting civilians or releasing gases that may lead to mass destruction of human lives, property, and vegetation.

Gathering information: when dealing with the enemy, one has to learn about their strengths and weaknesses to get a victory. This information is confidential, and one has to get behind enemy lines to get it. SAS does this by sneaking into the enemy territory quietly ensuring they are not captured.

Protection: SAS gives protection to government officials and people like witnesses who require proper protection. This unit is trained to sense danger and take action without hurting innocent people.

Giving training: SAS has great tactics which can benefit other security units and law enforcers. Besides getting more people trained, this creates a good rapport with other nations.

The Special Air Service is the best in the world, and this has made other nations to adapt their tactics while others have gone to the extent of hiring SAS to give them training. The 22^nd SAS is divided into four categories which include A, B, D and G. Every category has approximately 60 people and has about four troops where every troop has a given speciality. The Special Air Service is paramilitary because it is a part of Special Forces and it belongs to the British Army. The sabre squadron handles terrorism. To ensure this is done accurately, squadrons take turns doing this for half a year. SAS collects vital information about other units to put it into use effectively. For instance, this method was well used in Northern Ireland and the islands of Falkland. However, this responsibility was delegated to a different unit, SRR, but SAS carries out its activities once in a while. Two units are consisting of regular people exists; 21 and 23. A 21 SAS squadron was supposed to take part in the war in Korea that took place in the year 1950 but ended up doing voluntary work in Malaya since their help was not needed in Korea. In Malaya, SAS was under the command of Mike Calvert who also founded the Malayan Scouts.The 22 SAS unit has participated in confidential assignments and conducted attacks in Borneo and assisted the Aden Emergency in, Northern Ireland and in the Gambia. Moreover, it gave aid at Mogadishu to the German group, GSG 9. B Squadron was ready to take part in Operation Mikado had the operation not been cancelled.  D and G squadrons took part in invading Pebble Island. 22 SAS was responsible for the direction of the NATO aircraft into the Serb territories leading to the capture of Bosnian criminals. (Keil et al. 2016). This unit aided the KLA fighters during the Kosovo War. This is a time when Serbian Special Forces killed one of the SAS soldiers. During the application for the Special Air Service, tough applicants succeed whereas me majority do not because it is a very tough exercise. This should not be questioned because judging by the activities the sergeants get involved in, the best is required otherwise there will be a demise of many people; both sergeants and civilians. After selection, they undergo intense training which involves learning new things. Some of the skills they train in become so tough that some contemplate quitting. For example, collecting information SAS gets into enemy lines secretly to learn about things that are not known by outsiders. This involves their strongholds and their weaknesses. This exercise is risky and requires one to be smart and well equipped to fight in case they are busted (Finlan, 2017). Moreover, in case they are captured, they are trained to stay silent and endure torture. One thing they should not do is tell on their armies.

SAS carries out air control. Specialized training is given to some individuals in the group who should help carry out attacks by use of aircrafts. There are two major ways of carrying out air attacks: guiding the attack through verbal communication and by use of laser designators. This kind of attack was carried against Serbians and the Talisman. This responsibility is very delicate, and anyone assigned this task should be well trained and only qualified personnel can undergo training. SAS gives protection to essential people like heads of state. This is a task that can be carried out by people who are well trained to the point that they can spot danger earlier and take care of a situation without endangering the lives of civilians.

Special Air Service has weapons which give them an advantage when it comes to taking care of dangerous situations like terror attacks. Moreover, they have great attire to be worn like bulletproof vests and boots.  These are essential attire because it is impossible to go on an assignment in a suit or a pair of shorts. The British Army usually recognizes troops which have carried out their duties successfully. They give awards to motivate them and those who seek to join SAS. The names of fallen heroes of SAS are engraved on a tower in their memory. In addition, a church has provided a cemetery which is used to bury the dead soldiers. This shows that Britain recognizes and appreciates the work done by Special Air Service. Conducting memorial services for the fallen members of SAS is an indication that the role it plays has an impact on the society which in turn appreciates the unit. Failure to do this will lead to discouragement and lack of morale which is likely to result in poor performance. Poor work means creating opportunities for terrorists to attack their nation and risking attacks.

References

Finlan, A. (2017). Special Forces: Leadership, Processes and the British Special Air Service (SAS). Interdisciplinary Perspectives on, 74.

Jones, T. (2017). SAS Zero Hour: The Secret Origins of the Special Air Service. Pen &Sword Books Limited.

Keil, S., &Perry, V. (2016). Virtual Deterrence-BiH’s Institutionalized Insecurity and the International Flight from Responsibility. In State-Building and Democratization in Bosnia and Herzegovina (pp. 99-124).